Mazdayasna Zarathushtrish (MZ) - Zoroastrianism expanded v0.32
The Old Gods DLC is required to run this mod!
The Old Gods DLC is required to run this mod!
What is this?
The aim of this mod is to bring greater depth and replayability value when playing Zoroastrian characters in general and Persian Zoroastrians in particular. It expands on the vanilla Zoroastrian mechanics introduced in TOG by increasing the Zoroastrain feel all-around. It is aimed at adding more choice for the Zoroastrian/Persian player and increasing immersion.
Features
-Reforge the Persian empire in style, by rebuilding the ancient city of Persepolis!
-Employ Zhayedan (Immortals), an elite cavalry unit, to fight your religious enemies!
-Effects of certain traits in line with Zoroastrian conceptions of piety, not Catholic ones!
-Accurate holding, council, and title names based on Sassanid and Achaemenid empires!
-Sacrifices to lesser divinities of the Zoroastrian pantheon!
-Undergo Bareshnum, an ancient Zoroastrian cleansing ritual!
-Oversee your children's Sedreh Pushi ritual!
-Go hunting like you are used to!
-Convert to Zoroastrianism by decision if you are a Persian Muslim and your church's moral authority is low!
-Blind the pretenders to the throne into submission! (This fabled Byzantine practice actually originates from Persia).
-no more "the apostole" and similar nicknames for Zoroastrians!
-adds Zoroastrian specific nicknames!
-noble women can lead armies, as per Persian custom!
-...and much more!
Detailed Features
Names and titles:
Councillors:
Chancellor – Vuzorg Farmadar (Chancellor, I have no idea what vanilla Astabadh is supposed to represent, as I found almost no record of it)
Marshall – Eran Spahbod (Army chief)
Steward – Ho Tokhshan Bod (Head of traders and merchants, I have no idea what Darik-pat is)
Spymaster – Spasaka (Eye of the king)
Priest – Dastur (High priest)
Titles:
Emperor – Shahanshah (The shah of shahs)
King – Shah
Duke – Satrap
Count – Marzban
Bishop – Mobad
Mayor – Dihqan
Baron – Argbadh
Holdings:
Temple – Atashkada (fire temple)
Castle holding - Arg
Note: Non-religious titles (count, duke, etc.) apply to people of Iranian culture (Persians and Kurds)
Honorary titles:
Sraoshavarez – Master of rituals (+15 opinion, character must be Zoroastrian)
Kardarigan (+20 opinion, vanilla)
Shahrwaraz (+15 opinion, vanilla)
Pushtigban-salar (+10 opinion, vanilla)
Shapsheraz – Carrier of the ceremonial sword (+10 opinion)
There are two special honorary titles, which are not titles per se but more of public proclamations. Shah or above can proclaim someone as Dregvant (the wicked one; -15 opinion) if he is cruel, kinslayer, slothful, wroth or deceitful. On the other hand, if one is kind, diligent, honest or patient one can be proclaimed Ashavan (the righteous one; +15 opinion).
Events:
Sedreh Pushi ritual – coming of age of Zoroastrian youth (happens mostly between the ages of 6 and 15). Depending on the father's traits the child has a chance to get +2 or +1, on a single attribute, while gaining -1 on intrigue. (Random event firing somewhere between the age of 6 and 15 for a child).
Sevaral minor events for flavor.
Heresies:
Zurvanism and Manicheism are introduced as heresies, same as in vanilla.
Succesion:
Vanilla sucession laws are kept for Zoroastrians (same as chatolics).
Traits:
Certain traits that were deemed by Catholics to be not very pious (like lustfullness or hedonism) get a piety modifier for Zoroastrians as they were not seen as such, while others like celibacy and deceitfulness get a piety penalty (this is done with character modifier in order to avoid making separate traits specifically for Zoroastrians).
Minor Decisions:
Cleansing ritual decision - increases piety, useable once in every 5 years.
Grand hunt - reactivated it for Zoroastrians, as it is absent from vanilla (see further discussion in the thread if you are interested to know the reasons).
Ritual sacrifices - sacrifice to three different divinities, which cost money and piety and give realm-wise bonuses for the entire year. These are not HUMAN sacrifices, mind you. We're not filthy Norse. Once a sacrifice has been made, one cannot sacrifice for 5 years.
A decision to convert to Zoroastrianism - “Convert to the faith of my ancestral forefathers”, is potentially available for any Persian or Kurdish character (they are rare enough). This decision can be chosen only by a character that is Muslim, has decadence over 40, is not zealous, has negative piety (under 0), and has a Zoroastrian province in one’s demesne. If one doesn’t have a Zoroastrian province in the demesne, one needs decadence of 70. AI will never choose this.
Blinding - Persian and Kurdish characters can now blind their prisoners, similar to the way it works in the Byzantine empire. Blinding also now disqualifies one from succession. There are several historical examples of this, most notably the blinding and deposition of Balash in 488.
Major Decisions:
Reorganize the Zhayedan (thanx to Thure for the original decision which I modified and split the Zahyedan to vashts)
A Zoroastrian character can reorganize the Zhayedan - an elite Sassanid cavalry force known as immortals, modeled as a holy order here (Zoroastrians in vanilla have no holy orders). There are two levels of the restoration. Once such a character holds the title king of Persia, and has sufficient money and prestige, he can restore one vasht (division) of the Zhayedan (around 1500 HA and HC, should grow with time). Once he is emperor of Persia AND Zoroastrian priesthood has been restored, he can employ another vasht.
For balancing reasons the Zahyedan are not kept at 10000 men, although they were historically.
Restore the priesthood (vanilla) - the effects of the decision are the same as in vanilla, only it directly depends on religious authority, not the title Emperor of Persia, so one can in theory restore it even if one is only king of Persia. Still it needs a religious authority of 60 which in practice means complete control of 4 Zoroastrian holy places (they are all very close to each other) or great success in holy wars.
Become the Shaosyant (vanilla) - kept as is, only one needs to be truly superior in terms of character qualities to enact it as it is very powerful.
Rebuild Persepolis - rebuild the ancient Achaemenid capital, known to the ancients as Pārśapura! If you are a strong Shah and have your capital in the province of Fars, you can initiate the rebuilding of the great city. This will be costly in terms of gold, but the prestige from it as well as pragmatical long term benefits far out-weigth the costs!
It works like this: Once you enact the decision, you are faced with the choice of the scope of the project. All choices give you the same modifier in Fars, only for a varying time period (2, 4, or 6 years) and for a varying price (100,200 or 300 gold). During this time all the buildings being built in the province of Fars have the build time reduced by 70%. Meaning that if you have accumulated enough gold, you can construct a lot of buildings in your own and your vassals' holdings in that province. Once the period is over you will get an event that renames Perozabad (principal holding in Fars) to Persepolis, and a choice between three great projects to construct in the new city. You can either go for the library (giving you tech bonuses), irrigation system (increasing your levy size) or the "Gate of all nations" (increases income).
During the rebuilding itself the province will generate almost no income and you'll have almost no troops there to model the rebuilding effort.
Disclaimer:
Some of the changes may seem a bit too powerful, but I don't think they are powerful enough to break the game balance. The reason I went with this is that Persians are in an unfortunate position in terms of geography. Three major invasions: Turks (867 start), Mongols and Timurs all appear here, and if the player is to have any chance to fight them, he needs a strong position. I have tried to balance it so that if an invasion happens when a powerful monarch is on the throne who commands great respect and had managed to reform the religion and rebuilt Persepolis, one has a chance of fighting them off. If it happens while Persia is weak and unreformed - it will be annihilated.
Councillors:
Chancellor – Vuzorg Farmadar (Chancellor, I have no idea what vanilla Astabadh is supposed to represent, as I found almost no record of it)
Marshall – Eran Spahbod (Army chief)
Steward – Ho Tokhshan Bod (Head of traders and merchants, I have no idea what Darik-pat is)
Spymaster – Spasaka (Eye of the king)
Priest – Dastur (High priest)
Titles:
Emperor – Shahanshah (The shah of shahs)
King – Shah
Duke – Satrap
Count – Marzban
Bishop – Mobad
Mayor – Dihqan
Baron – Argbadh
Holdings:
Temple – Atashkada (fire temple)
Castle holding - Arg
Note: Non-religious titles (count, duke, etc.) apply to people of Iranian culture (Persians and Kurds)
Honorary titles:
Sraoshavarez – Master of rituals (+15 opinion, character must be Zoroastrian)
Kardarigan (+20 opinion, vanilla)
Shahrwaraz (+15 opinion, vanilla)
Pushtigban-salar (+10 opinion, vanilla)
Shapsheraz – Carrier of the ceremonial sword (+10 opinion)
There are two special honorary titles, which are not titles per se but more of public proclamations. Shah or above can proclaim someone as Dregvant (the wicked one; -15 opinion) if he is cruel, kinslayer, slothful, wroth or deceitful. On the other hand, if one is kind, diligent, honest or patient one can be proclaimed Ashavan (the righteous one; +15 opinion).
Events:
Sedreh Pushi ritual – coming of age of Zoroastrian youth (happens mostly between the ages of 6 and 15). Depending on the father's traits the child has a chance to get +2 or +1, on a single attribute, while gaining -1 on intrigue. (Random event firing somewhere between the age of 6 and 15 for a child).
Sevaral minor events for flavor.
Heresies:
Zurvanism and Manicheism are introduced as heresies, same as in vanilla.
Succesion:
Vanilla sucession laws are kept for Zoroastrians (same as chatolics).
Traits:
Certain traits that were deemed by Catholics to be not very pious (like lustfullness or hedonism) get a piety modifier for Zoroastrians as they were not seen as such, while others like celibacy and deceitfulness get a piety penalty (this is done with character modifier in order to avoid making separate traits specifically for Zoroastrians).
Minor Decisions:
Cleansing ritual decision - increases piety, useable once in every 5 years.
Grand hunt - reactivated it for Zoroastrians, as it is absent from vanilla (see further discussion in the thread if you are interested to know the reasons).
Ritual sacrifices - sacrifice to three different divinities, which cost money and piety and give realm-wise bonuses for the entire year. These are not HUMAN sacrifices, mind you. We're not filthy Norse. Once a sacrifice has been made, one cannot sacrifice for 5 years.
A decision to convert to Zoroastrianism - “Convert to the faith of my ancestral forefathers”, is potentially available for any Persian or Kurdish character (they are rare enough). This decision can be chosen only by a character that is Muslim, has decadence over 40, is not zealous, has negative piety (under 0), and has a Zoroastrian province in one’s demesne. If one doesn’t have a Zoroastrian province in the demesne, one needs decadence of 70. AI will never choose this.
Blinding - Persian and Kurdish characters can now blind their prisoners, similar to the way it works in the Byzantine empire. Blinding also now disqualifies one from succession. There are several historical examples of this, most notably the blinding and deposition of Balash in 488.
Major Decisions:
Reorganize the Zhayedan (thanx to Thure for the original decision which I modified and split the Zahyedan to vashts)
A Zoroastrian character can reorganize the Zhayedan - an elite Sassanid cavalry force known as immortals, modeled as a holy order here (Zoroastrians in vanilla have no holy orders). There are two levels of the restoration. Once such a character holds the title king of Persia, and has sufficient money and prestige, he can restore one vasht (division) of the Zhayedan (around 1500 HA and HC, should grow with time). Once he is emperor of Persia AND Zoroastrian priesthood has been restored, he can employ another vasht.
For balancing reasons the Zahyedan are not kept at 10000 men, although they were historically.
Restore the priesthood (vanilla) - the effects of the decision are the same as in vanilla, only it directly depends on religious authority, not the title Emperor of Persia, so one can in theory restore it even if one is only king of Persia. Still it needs a religious authority of 60 which in practice means complete control of 4 Zoroastrian holy places (they are all very close to each other) or great success in holy wars.
Become the Shaosyant (vanilla) - kept as is, only one needs to be truly superior in terms of character qualities to enact it as it is very powerful.
Rebuild Persepolis - rebuild the ancient Achaemenid capital, known to the ancients as Pārśapura! If you are a strong Shah and have your capital in the province of Fars, you can initiate the rebuilding of the great city. This will be costly in terms of gold, but the prestige from it as well as pragmatical long term benefits far out-weigth the costs!
It works like this: Once you enact the decision, you are faced with the choice of the scope of the project. All choices give you the same modifier in Fars, only for a varying time period (2, 4, or 6 years) and for a varying price (100,200 or 300 gold). During this time all the buildings being built in the province of Fars have the build time reduced by 70%. Meaning that if you have accumulated enough gold, you can construct a lot of buildings in your own and your vassals' holdings in that province. Once the period is over you will get an event that renames Perozabad (principal holding in Fars) to Persepolis, and a choice between three great projects to construct in the new city. You can either go for the library (giving you tech bonuses), irrigation system (increasing your levy size) or the "Gate of all nations" (increases income).
During the rebuilding itself the province will generate almost no income and you'll have almost no troops there to model the rebuilding effort.
Disclaimer:
Some of the changes may seem a bit too powerful, but I don't think they are powerful enough to break the game balance. The reason I went with this is that Persians are in an unfortunate position in terms of geography. Three major invasions: Turks (867 start), Mongols and Timurs all appear here, and if the player is to have any chance to fight them, he needs a strong position. I have tried to balance it so that if an invasion happens when a powerful monarch is on the throne who commands great respect and had managed to reform the religion and rebuilt Persepolis, one has a chance of fighting them off. If it happens while Persia is weak and unreformed - it will be annihilated.
A (very) short introduction to Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a religion developed by building upon religious traditions of Aryan people (Ancestral group of people from whom modern Indians and Iranians developed). Traditional accounts - that can not be said to be extremely reliable - say that Zarathustra (real name Spitama), after spending years in solemn meditation somewhere in the mountains around the Iranian plateau appeared as a prophet of a new religion. Aryans had a complex pantheon which was reorganized by the prophet (greek version of the name: Zoroaster) by putting Ahura Mazda in a center in a highly monotheistic manner. Ahura Mazda was envisioned as a supreme creator, an all-knowing and (arguably) all-powerful god and the epitomisation of all that is good.
It is not known exactly when Zarathustra preached, but estimates put him somewhere between 1000BC and 600BC, making his religion one of the first Monotheistic religions in the world. Zoroastrianism underwent large changes in teachings and practice throughout the centuries and a lot of original texts are now lost (mostly due to Alexander who "in a feet of drunken rage" burned the library at Persepolis). The earliest religious tradition written in the Gathic language - the Gathas (attributed to Zarathustra himself) established certain concepts which were later developed in the Avestas and mixed with a host of new ideas culminating in Pahlav influences under the Sassanid dynasty (2nd - 7th century AD). The religion went from abstract to concrete, and what were in the beginning concepts, later became personifications.
Zoroastrianism was in the beginning very spiritual and abstract, and later deviations developed into a very ritualistic practice that was far from Zarathustra's original creation. According to him, Ahura Mazda (lord of light and wisdom) created Spenta Mainy (litteraly - Holy Spirit) to interveen between the spiritual world of the creator and the materialistic world of the created. He is seen as one aspect of Ahura Mazda and through him the creator influences the seven planes of the material world. Zarathustra is invited to see the splendor and goodness of the god, and further his teaching among all the people upon earth. One phrase best surmises the whole Zoroastrian teaching: Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.
There are six key concepts (something like Christian virtues) later collectively termed Amesha Spentas (Bounteous Immortal) that make up the Zoroastrian "pantheon". Most important of these are Vohu Manah (Good Spirit) and Asha (Righteousness), and through them one reaches Ahura Mazda. In the Avestan period numerous other local divinities like Mithra were incorporated officially below Amesha Spentas in importance, but in practice were often more prominent in the mind of the worshipers.
The most constant motif in Zoroastrianism is the struggle between good and evil or righteousness and wickedness. The origin of evil is not clear and was later a source of numerous heresies and sects, but the evil spirit, Angra Mainyu (the inverse image of Vohu Manah) is hell-bent on spreading wickedness all around the world. This long-lasting fight is predestined to be won by good in the final reckoning (Frashokereti) with the help of mortal saviors.
Keep in mind that Zoroastrianism is quite complex, and one can easily fall in a trap of it's similarity with Judaism and Christianity and attribute certain aspect of those religions to the teaching of Zarathustra. While Zoroastrianism undoubtedly influenced later more prominent Monotheistic religions, it is - in some aspects - almost completely different. For example, there is no trace of guilt in Zoroastrism - it is a thoroughly positive and optimistic religion where hedonism (if not over the top) is encouraged and asceticism and fasting as seen as sins. Zoroastrian priests throughout the centuries have, for example, never practiced celibacy - which is seen as one of the greatest threats to goodness.
It is not known exactly when Zarathustra preached, but estimates put him somewhere between 1000BC and 600BC, making his religion one of the first Monotheistic religions in the world. Zoroastrianism underwent large changes in teachings and practice throughout the centuries and a lot of original texts are now lost (mostly due to Alexander who "in a feet of drunken rage" burned the library at Persepolis). The earliest religious tradition written in the Gathic language - the Gathas (attributed to Zarathustra himself) established certain concepts which were later developed in the Avestas and mixed with a host of new ideas culminating in Pahlav influences under the Sassanid dynasty (2nd - 7th century AD). The religion went from abstract to concrete, and what were in the beginning concepts, later became personifications.
Zoroastrianism was in the beginning very spiritual and abstract, and later deviations developed into a very ritualistic practice that was far from Zarathustra's original creation. According to him, Ahura Mazda (lord of light and wisdom) created Spenta Mainy (litteraly - Holy Spirit) to interveen between the spiritual world of the creator and the materialistic world of the created. He is seen as one aspect of Ahura Mazda and through him the creator influences the seven planes of the material world. Zarathustra is invited to see the splendor and goodness of the god, and further his teaching among all the people upon earth. One phrase best surmises the whole Zoroastrian teaching: Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds.
There are six key concepts (something like Christian virtues) later collectively termed Amesha Spentas (Bounteous Immortal) that make up the Zoroastrian "pantheon". Most important of these are Vohu Manah (Good Spirit) and Asha (Righteousness), and through them one reaches Ahura Mazda. In the Avestan period numerous other local divinities like Mithra were incorporated officially below Amesha Spentas in importance, but in practice were often more prominent in the mind of the worshipers.
The most constant motif in Zoroastrianism is the struggle between good and evil or righteousness and wickedness. The origin of evil is not clear and was later a source of numerous heresies and sects, but the evil spirit, Angra Mainyu (the inverse image of Vohu Manah) is hell-bent on spreading wickedness all around the world. This long-lasting fight is predestined to be won by good in the final reckoning (Frashokereti) with the help of mortal saviors.
Keep in mind that Zoroastrianism is quite complex, and one can easily fall in a trap of it's similarity with Judaism and Christianity and attribute certain aspect of those religions to the teaching of Zarathustra. While Zoroastrianism undoubtedly influenced later more prominent Monotheistic religions, it is - in some aspects - almost completely different. For example, there is no trace of guilt in Zoroastrism - it is a thoroughly positive and optimistic religion where hedonism (if not over the top) is encouraged and asceticism and fasting as seen as sins. Zoroastrian priests throughout the centuries have, for example, never practiced celibacy - which is seen as one of the greatest threats to goodness.
Some screenshots
Downloads and changelog in the second post
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